HOUSTON, Texas -- A sense of excitement, urgency and optimism fills the air around the Texas Southern Tigers football field house and practice field.Third year head coach Darrell Asberry is fired up about his team and their change in attitude.
"They know it's time to win and they have the attitude and will to want to win," said Asberry. "No one's complaining and everyone wants to work. They see the writing on the wall."
Asberry is excited about the talent on the team but also the fact that he gets to test that talent for the first time in two years during the spring.
"We didn't have spring training last season and it showed," Asberry said. "The guys didn't start to come together until the second half of the season. They've worked hard in the weight room and now we are on the field. I'm very optimistic about our future."
Asberry said he is focused on finding out what these guys do best, and working that to perfection. He would like to get the ball down field fast, and he seems to have the talent to do it.
Starting quarterback Homer Causey is back for his junior year. He played in 10 games with 1459 yards passing and 5 touchdowns. He also rushed for 694 yard and 6 touchdowns.
"Homer's attitude has improved a lot and he is showing maturity and good leadership skills," said Asberry.
Jay Christophe saw playing time as a true freshman and he is getting some quality reps in spring practice. Asberry said a redshirt freshman is also stepping up. "The surprise at quarterback was Rico Smalls' brother, Mario," Asberry said. "He moved the team during his reps and he made good decisions with his reads."
The offensive line is missing their veteran left tackle. Glen Jackson won't practice in the spring because of his injury, but he's expected back for the fall.
Senior wide receiver Fred Plummer is back in action after missing most of last season because of an injury. Plummer's hard work and rehab is playing off. Coach says he is catching everything thrown in his direction.
The defensive line was a concern according to Asberry, but the squad has squashed some of the head coach's worries. "I had concerns about the D-line, but they are doing a good job," said Asberry. "They got after us pretty good on Saturday. We still have a lot of work to do but I'm encouraged by what I've seen so far."
Special teams should be a very special group this season. The Tigers now have two experienced kickers who both have experienced some success. "Corey [Carter] and [Eric] Medina are back with us and we brought in another long snapper," Asberry said. "We put some pressure on Medina as a true freshman and he did well despite some freshman tendencies. Corey went through the same thing as a true freshman and he came back and led the conference in punting his sophomore year. We feel real good about those guys."
Asberry believes he has a solid core of student-athletes on campus, with a group of freshmen and transfers on their way to help fill in the gaps. What's high of Asberry's list for spring training?..staying healthy and science. "Think it's very important that we get some chemistry going with these guys," Asberry said. "Their attitudes have really changed…so we are focused on discipline and our commitment to working as a team."
The Tigers have two more weeks of spring training, and Asberry and his coaching staff plan to take full advantage of it.
"We are a very talented football team. We are going to work real hard to get these guys going in the right direction. It feels good to come to work in such a positive atmosphere."
Texas Southern's 2014 season kicks off on August 31st.
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY 2014 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie View A&M University | Houston, TX | 4:00pm | ||
| Texas College | Houston, TX | 7:30pm | ||
| Central State-Ohio | Wilberforce, OH | TBA | ||
| Alabama A&M | Houston, TX | 7:00pm | ||
| Alabama State University | Montgomery, AL | TBA | ||
| Mississippi Valley State | Houston, TX | 7:00pm | ||
| Alcorn State | Alcorn, MS | TBA | ||
| Homecoming | ||||
| Arkansas-Pine Bluff / Homecoming | Houston, TX | 2:00pm | ||
| Grambling State | Houston, TX | 2:00pm | ||
| Southern University | Baton Rouge, LA | TBA | ||
| Jackson State | Houston, TX | 2:00pm | ||
By Rodney Bush TSU Sports Information Director
COURTESY TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
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